‘It’s not OK to be a bully’

Pueblo West student turns his own experience into helpful action

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/JOHN JAQUES
Collin Benavidez was bullied earlier this year in school and he decided to turn that experience into a chance to start an anti-bullying club at Pueblo West High School. Here he stands in school at lunch time on Tuesday.

by gayle perez
the pueblo chieftain

Published: November 3, 2013;Last modified: November 3, 2013 04:00AM

Collin Benavidez wants a stop to bullying.

The Pueblo West High School freshman is doing his part to try to put an end to the painful act by starting an anti-bullying club aimed at halting bullies and giving those who have been bullied a way to speak out.

“One of my goals is that I hope to see less bullying at my school,” said the 15-year-old victim of bullying himself.

Collin’s idea to start the ABC (anti-bullying club) club spawned from his own experience with bullies.

Recently, two students created a video making fun of Collin, a special education student, and another student and posted it on the popular YouTube website.

When Collin’s mother, Salette Thompson, found out about the video, she contacted Pueblo West High and action was taken to remedy the situation.

But Collin, who also experienced being made fun of throughout middle school, decided he wanted to do something to help prevent others from feeling the pain and humiliation he experienced.

“He felt like he wanted to speak out and do something to let people know that it isn’t cool to make fun of people,” said Thompson.

So Collin said he considered starting an anti-bullying club and when he took the idea to school leaders and the student council, all were receptive to the idea.

“I made some posters to hang in the school inviting people to come to our meeting,” Collin said.

He also announced the new club at a schoolwide assembly.

The first meeting attracted about 28 students and Collin said he expects that number to grow as more students hear about the club.

“The first meeting we had cookies and did an icebreaker game so everybody could get to know each other,” said Collin, who was elected president of the club. “I think it went real well.”

Collin said his plan is to work on ways to eliminate the hurtful act of bullying. He hopes to soon show the powerful documentary “Bully” about bullying in schools along with implementing a random act of kindness program.

“I want to motivate others to see less bullying but to also let them know that if they see someone getting bullied to help them by inviting them to join them,” he said.

Eventually, Collin said he would like to spread his message into other Pueblo West schools and other local schools as well.

“I hear there is a lot of bullying going on and I want to do what I can to stop it,” he said. “It’s not OK to be a bully or to be bullied. ”

Collin said since he decided to take action, students are showing more respect.

“A lot of people are proud that I started this club,” he said. “I feel proud because I want to help others because being bullied is not fun. It hurts and I want to stop it at our school.”